The shortest distance between the two parks takes you along an old gravel road that travels through Automba, Minnesota, population 6. Automba was a very active lumber town before it was completely burned out during the 1918 fire. It was never rebuilt. I think the population is even less than 6 now.

We went to my brother and sister-in-law’s 50th wedding anniversary party this weekend. Along the way we took in two state parks, Savanna Portage and Moose Lake. At Savanna we found many painted turtles sunning themselves either on logs or each other.